What is Betaseron ®?
Betaseron ® is a drug used in the treatment of
multiple sclerosis. It is from a class of drugs known as interferons.
In Europe, Betaseron ® is called Betaferon ®.Betaseron (interferon beta-1b) is a recombinant DNA produced
synthetic of naturally occurring proteins. It is manufactured
by bacterial fermentation of a strain of Escherichia coli that bears
a genetically engineered plasmid containing the gene for human interferon.
Interferons are cytokines. Three major classes of interferon
have been identified - interferon alpha, interferon beta and interferon
gamma.
Interferon alpha and beta form the Type I class of interferons and
Interferon gamma is a Type II interferon.
Indicated and approved for use in multiple sclerosis are interferon
types, Interferon beta-1a and Interferon beta-1b.Interferons are species specific. In other words, the effects and
results of interferon therapy and animal experimentation is difficult
to apply across the human-animal species barriers since the effects
they have within any given species are different.
The mechanisms by which Betaseron ® exerts its actions
in multiple sclerosis (MS) are not clearly understood.Betaseron ® is administered by subcutaneous injection
(injection under the skin) every other day. |
